High pressure diaphragm compressors and pumps



Sept. 4, 1962 R. c. WOLF ETAL 3,

HIGH PRESSURE DIAPHRAGM COMPRESSORS AND PUMPS Filed March 17, 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 NVEN afar 21 BY Ja/izz c. fiwren/ ATTORNEY Sept. 4, 1962 Filed March 17, 1960 R. C. WOLF ETAL HIGH PRESSURE DIAPHRAGM COMPRESSORS AND PUMPS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 J7 z g-z I Z J9 +2 M 7F K jaw 21%;? Jg 1p a. game) ATTORN EY 3,052,188 HIGH PRESSURE BlAPlmAGli/l COMPRESSGRS AND PUMPS Robert C. Wolf, Hatboro, and John 6. Bowen, Davisville, Pa, assignors to Pressure Products Industries, 1116-, Hatboro, Pa, a corporation of Pennsylvania Filed Mar. 17, 1960, er. No. 15,573 '7 Claims. (Cl. 103-44) This invention relates to high pressure diaphragm compressors and pumps.

It has heretofore been proposed to provide diaphragm comprt :sors operated at very high discharge pressures of the order of 30,000 p.s.i.g. and higher.

The high pressures involved have introduced difficult problems in avoiding fluid leakage both of the fluid being pumped and of the actuating fluid.

Difliculties have arisen with the structures heretofore available because of the problems involved in drilling a large number of small holes for collection of the fluid being pumped and the excessive dead volume which is present.

It is the principal object of the present invention to provide a diaphragm pump which is particularly suitable for high pressure applications and which is constructed in an improved manner.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a diaphragm type compressor in which the diaphragm is held in position in a simple but effective manner by differential pressure applied thereagainst.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an improved construction of diaphragm compressor in which fluid pressure is utilized for aiding in sealing the structure against fluid leakage.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a diaphragm compressor in which the diaphragm is held in a simple but effective manner.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a diaphragm pump having an improved character of head for engagement by the diaphragm.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a diaphragm pump with which permanent deformation of the diaphragm in use is greatly reduced.

Other objects and advantageous features of the invention will be apparent from the description and claims.

The nature and characteristic features of the invention will be more readily understood from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings forming part hereof, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a view partly diagrammatic, and partly in vertical central section of a diaphragm compressor in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view, enlarged, of a head block employed in connection with the invention and removed from FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an elevational view showing one of the faces of the upper head; and

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken approximately on the line 4--4 of FIG. 2.

It should, of course, be understood that the description and drawings herein are illustrative merely, and that various modifications and changes can be made in the structure disclosed without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Like numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, in which a preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated, a main body is provided which has a flange 11 at one end for mounting the same and has a central longitudinal axial circular end bore 12 within which a cross head adapter 13 is mounted for actuation.

A longitudinal axial circular bore 15 is provided, communicating with the bore 12, for the reception of a studing box 16. The stuffing box 16 has an enlarged head 17 for reception within one end of a main longitudinal axial circular bore 18 in the body .10. The head 17 preferably abuts against a transverse wall 19 which connects the bores 15 and 18.

The bore 18 also has therein longitudinally axially disposed with respect to the stuffing box 16, lower and upper head-s 26 and 27 with a metallic diaphragm 28 interposed therebetween.

In order to retain the heads 26 and 27 and the diaphragm 28 in position, a main nut 29 is preferably provided having an exterior threaded wall 30 for engagement with a complementally threaded interior wall 31 of the body 10.

In order to prevent fluid leakage between the main nut 29 and the upper head 27, for purposes which will hereinafter be more fully explained, an annular groove 32 is provided on the lower face of the main nut 29 of predetermined diameter for the reception of a packing ring device 33, of any preferred type such as an O-ring with an anti-extrusion member.

In order to prevent fluid leakage between the upper head 27 and the diaphragm 28, the upper head 27 is provided on the lower face thereof with an annular groove 34 of predetermined diameter and of a diameter less than that of the groove 32, for the reception of a packing ring device 35, of any preferred type such as an O-ring with an anti-extrusion member, for engagement with the diaphragm 28.

The upper face of the lower head 26 is preferably provided with an annular groove 36, and of a diameter less than that of the groove 34 for the reception of a packing ring device 37, of any preferred type such as an O-ring with an anti-extrusion member, for engagement with the diaphragm 28.

The lower head 26 is also provided on the lower face thereof which is in contact with the upper face of the head 17 of the stuffing box 16 with an annular groove 38 which may be of the same diameter as that of the groove 36. The groove 36 has a packing ring device 39, of any preferred type such as an O-ring with an antiextrusion member therein, for engagement with the upper face of the head 17.

The stuffing box 16 can have a plunger sleeve 42 provided in a bore 43 therein. The sleeve 42 abuts at its upper end against the lower head 26.

The bore 43 has mounted therein a packing 4 4 between compression rings 45 and 46, and a packing gland nut 47 is threaded in the lower end of the stufling box 16 for controlling the compression of the packing 44.

A plunger 50 is provided, connected at one end to the piston head adapter 13 and extending through the ring 46, the packing 44, the ring 45, the packing gland nut 47 and the plunger sleeve 42 and into a plug 51 mounted in the lower head 26.

The plug 51 has a central pumping chamber 52 and an annular passageway 53 communicating with a dished face 54 on the upper end of the lower head 26, the space between the diaphragm 28 and the face 54 and within the packing 37 provides a pressure chamber 55 for actuating the diaphragm 28 for compressing process fluid as hereinafter explained.

A fluid connection 56 is provided extending through the lower head 26 and a side opening 57 in the body 10 and communicating through the passageway 53 to the pressure chamber 55.

The upper head 27 also has a dished face 60 which provides with the diaphragm 28 a compression chamber 61. The upper head 27 is also provided centrally with an annulus plug 62 having an annular space 63 around its outer end and passageway 64 communicating with a longitudinal passageway 65 in the upper head 27. The dished face 54 of the lower head 26 and the dished face 60 of the upper head 27 are preferably provided with a plurality of radially extending grooves 66 which terminate at one end at the annular spaces 53 and 63 and terminate at the other end inwardly of the packing ring recesses 36 and 34. The heads of the plugs 52 and 62. can also be provided with radial grooves 66a.

The grooves 66 and 66a are preferably formed so as to be free from chips, burrs or projections and preferably have a maximum depth of the order of 0.030 inch, and a maximum width of the order of 0.015 inch with an exposed diaphragm diameter of the order of three inches.

The passageway 65 is in communication with a transverse passageway 67v in the upper head 27 which communicates at one side with a suction valve 68 inserted in a transverse bore 69 in the head 27 and is held by a nut 70 threaded therein. The nut 70 has a central passageway 71 with a process fluid supply connection 72 connected thereto.

The passageway 67 is also in communication with a transverse bore 74 in which a discharge valve 75 is inserted and held in position by a nut 76 threaded into the head 27. The discharge nut 76 has a fluid passageway 77 therein for connection to a process fluid delivery connection 78.

The main nut 29 has a bore 80 therein with a pressure connection 81 for a fluid connection 88 which is connected through a check valve 89 to a connector block 90.

The connector block 90 has a central fluid passageway 91 to which the fluid connection 88 is connected and has a passageway 92 with which the fluid connection 56 is in communication and has a passageway 93 connected to a liquid suction line 94 which communicates with a reservoir or other source of liquid (not shown). A check valve 95 is provided in the connector block 90 and normally urged to closed position by a spring 96.

The check valve 95 can have a sealing ring 97 carried thereon for providing a pressure tight connection when the valve 95 is in closed position. i The connector block 90' also has a fluid connection 98 which is in communication through a spring pressed relief valve 99 normally urged to closed position by a spring 100 and with a fluid connection 101 extending therefrom for the return of pressure fluid to the reservoir (not shown).

The mode of operation will now be pointed out.

Upon reciprocation of the cross head adaptor 13 in any desired manner the plunger 50 will be reciprocated. Upon downward movement of the plunger 50, the pressure in the chamber 55 on the lower side of the diaphragm 28 is relaxed and permits downward movement of the diaphragm 28. When the diaphragm 28 reaches the face 54, the piston 50 continues its downward movement and liquid will be drawn through. the check valve 95 into the passageway 91 and through the passageway 56 into the chamber 52.

Upon upward movement of the plunger 50, the pressure built up is effective from the chamber 52 through the passageways 53 torthe pressure chamber 55 for urging the diaphragm 28 upwardly. This cannot occur until a pressure has been built up in the bore 80 and therefore due to the diflerential area previously described the upper head 27 is urged downwardly against the lower head 26 which in turn is urged against the head 17 of the stufling box 16.

As the pressure of the fluid reachesa predetermined maximum, as determined by the spring 100, fluid is dis charged through the fluid connection 101 for return to the reservoir. Upon repeated reciprocation of the plunger 50 the operations just described are repeated.

As the diaphragm 28 is reciprocated and moves downivardly, process fluid to be compressed or pumped is drawn in through the passageway 71 and past the inlet 4 check valve 68, the passageways 65 and 64 and the space 63 to the chamber 61.

As the diaphragm 28 is urged upwardly the fluid in the chamber 61 is compressed or moved for discharge past the check valve '75 for delivery. While the compression pressures can be varied as desired, in one embodiment of the invention a suction pressure of the order of 3,700 psi. can be employed with a discharge pressure of the order of 30,000 psi.

By the use of the packings 37 and 39 the pressure applied on the opposite upper and lower faces of the lower head 27 is efiective for sealing and retaining the head 27 in position.

Referring now to the upper head 27, the grooves 66 and 6611 are effective because of their size for reducing the working of the metal of the diaphragm 28 as it is forced against the dished face 60, so that longer effective life of the diaphragm 23 is attained. At the same time the clearance volume in the compression chamber 61 is kept to a minimum, with attendant increase in efliciency. The grooves 66 and 66a are effective to permit any trapped liquid to escape on both sides of the diaphragm 28.

We claim:

1. A diaphragm compressor or pump comprising a body having an opening therein, head members in said opening having spaced portions, a diaphragm interposed between said head members and separating the spaced portions between said head members into a process fluid chamber and an actuating fluid chamber, inlet and discharge passageways connected to said process fiuid chamber and having valves therein, a retaining member in engagement with one of said head members at the opposite side thereof from said diaphragm, an annular packing member between said retaining member and said one of said head members, and a fluid connector for applying pressure fluid between said retaining member and said one of said head members and on an area of said head member within said packing member in opposition to the pressure applied on the diaphragm side of said head member.

2. A diaphragm compressor or pump comprising a body having an opening therein, head members in said opening having face portions in facing relation with a space therebetween, a diaphragm interposed between said head members and separating the space between said head members into a process fluid chamber and an actuating fluid chamber, inlet and discharge passageways connected to said process fluid chamber and having valves therein, a retaining member having a face portion in face to face relation with an opposite face portion of one of said head members from that facing said diaphragm, an annular packing member between said retaining member and said one of said head members, and a fluid connector for applying pressure fluid between said retaining member and said one of said head members and within an area on said head member bounded by said packing member in opposition to the pressure applied on the face portion of said head member toward said diaphragm.

3. A diaphragm compressor or pump as defined in claim 2 in which one of said passageways is connected for applying fluid pressure against said one of said heads on an area opposed to the pressure applied within the area bounded by said packing member.

4. A diaphragm compressor or pump as defined in claim 2 in which a second annular packing member is provided of smaller diameter than said first packing member and on the opposite side of said one of said heads from said first annular packing member, and one of said passageways is connected for applying fluid pressure within the area surrounded by said second annular packing member.

5. A diaphragm compressor or pump comprising a body having an opening therein, a first head and a second head in said opening having portions in facing relation with a space therebetween, a diaphragm interposed between said facing portions of said heads and separating the space between said heads into a process fluid chamber and an actuating fluid chamber, inlet and discharge connections connected to said process fluid chamber, spaced retaining members in engagement with opposite outer face portions of said heads for retaining said heads in position in said body, an annular packing member between each of said retaining members and the contiguous head, annular packing members between each of said heads and said diaphragm, members for applying a pulsating pressure in said actuating chamber, and fluid connections for applying fluid pressure to the areas bounded by said annular packing members.

6. A diaphragm compressor or pump comprising a body having an opening therein, a first head and a second head in said openings, spaced retaining members in engagement with opposite outer portions of said heads for retaining said heads in position in said body, said heads having facing portions in spaced relation, a diaphragrn interposed between said heads and separating the space between said heads into a process fluid chamber and an actuating fluid chamber, inlet and discharge connections connected to said process fluid chamber, a pumping chamber in one of said heads, a plunger reciprocable in said pumping chamber, a fluid connection in communication with said pumping chamber, a fluid connection in communication with said pumping chamber and said actuating fluid chamber, and fluid connections for applying fluid under pressure between said first head and one of said retaining members and on the opposite side of said first head.

7. A diaphragm compressor comprising a body having heads therein, said heads having facing portions in spaced relation, the facing portion of one of said heads being dished, a metallic diaphragm interposed between said heads and separating the space between said heads into two chambers, one of said chambers having on its face a central opening, a stop plug mounted in said opening and defining with the outer margin of said opening an annular opening, said annular opening having a fluid passageway extending therefrom, inlet and outlet connections at least one of which is connected to said passageway, said dished portion having a plurality of grooves thereon terminating at their inner ends at said opening.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 885,835 Brush Apr. 28, 1908 2,445,293 Lippincott July 13, 1948 2,839,002 Williams June 17, 1958 2,902,936 Bradley Sept. 8, 1959 

